How-To Geek

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We explain technology. Learn more with our articles, reviews, tips, and the best answers to your most pressing tech questions.
Updated: 1 min 41 sec ago

The truth about your oil life monitor: How it works and when to really change your oil

Mon, 03/30/2026 - 21:00

The three-month, 3,000-mile oil change interval was the standard for ages. Today, synthetic lubricants and more advanced engine technologies have pushed those intervals into a much broader range, typically between 7,500 and 15,000 miles. Overall, this shift from the previous 3,000-mile benchmark has made the oil life monitor a standard feature in every new vehicle.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 reasons to run Plex and Jellyfin together

Mon, 03/30/2026 - 20:46

I've been a Plex user for over a decade, but Jellyfin has some compelling features — especially when you consider that Jellyfin is 100% free. So, if you're out to save some cash, here are five reasons to run Jellyfin alongside your Plex server.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I've used Google Fi for 8 years—here's why I've stuck around for so long

Mon, 03/30/2026 - 20:30

There are plenty of choices when it comes to buying wireless service for your phone. Google Fi is one of them, and while I know it might not be the best, I’ve stuck with it for nearly a decade. Maybe I’m stubborn, but I have my reasons.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 ways you're wasting filament in your 3D prints (and what to do instead)

Mon, 03/30/2026 - 20:30

No matter how cheap your filament may be, that's no excuse to waste any of it when you don't have to. 3D printers are machines with infinite tunability and many different ways to print a skinless cat. So it stands to reason that some practices are more wasteful than others.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Good news, PC RAM prices are finally dropping

Mon, 03/30/2026 - 20:11

For the past few months, prices for flash memory products like solid state drives and RAM have exponentially increased. Thankfully, the trend is now partially reversing: prices for DDR4 and DDR5 PC RAM are starting to fall.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I finally ditched my $300 gaming headset—why desktop PC speakers are my best upgrade in years

Mon, 03/30/2026 - 20:00

For years, I believed I had my perfect PC audio setup. Like many enthusiasts, I relied on a high-end, over-ear gaming headset or the TV I use as a monitor. I was wrong, but now I know that a quality set of external desktop speakers (and a subwoofer if you want one) is a fundamental correction to years of compromised listening. If you've ever felt that post-headphone-session weariness or wished your PC's sound had more presence, you're about to discover why the one purchase I delayed the longest is now what I regret not making sooner.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 reasons the Lexus GX beats the Toyota Land Cruiser as a smarter buy

Mon, 03/30/2026 - 19:45

The Lexus GX and Toyota Land Cruiser are two heavy-hitters from Toyota, both built for toughness and off-road chops. The 2024 GX stepped up with a fancier, more luxurious interior while keeping strong off-road ability, while the 2024 Land Cruiser made a comeback with a rugged new look and hybrid powertrain.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Hacks' final season is here: Everything coming to HBO Max in April

Mon, 03/30/2026 - 19:30

I dare say that April is, so far, the hottest month for exciting content coming to HBO Max. Sure, we’re getting a hefty dose of previously released movies, but the new content that’s coming is so mouthwatering, you’re liable to stay on the platform all month long.

Categories: IT General, Technology

6 things your ESP32 can do that a Raspberry Pi can't (and shouldn't)

Mon, 03/30/2026 - 19:00

A Raspberry Pi can be incredibly versatile. There are also different models that are better suited to different jobs. For some things, however, an ESP32 is the better choice. It can do things a Raspberry Pi can't, or can be put to use for tasks that would be overkill for a Raspberry Pi.

Categories: IT General, Technology

James Bond is leaving Netflix in April—here's what else to watch before it's gone

Mon, 03/30/2026 - 18:45

While Netflix has an exciting lineup of new shows and movies coming to the service in April, like a new season of Beef and a fun-loving animated Stranger Things series from the Duffer Brothers, it's also time to bid a fond adieu to the pile of titles leaving for greener pastures on other streaming services this month. Why, you ask? Because, contrary to popular belief, Netflix doesn't own everything, it licenses a ton of its movies and TV shows from other studios, too, which means, sadly, things come and go. That means that you should take advantage and watch some of these while the gettin's good.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why your DNS traffic is a privacy leak and how to fix it once and for all

Mon, 03/30/2026 - 18:30

Are you concerned about your privacy? Do you worry about your ISP collecting your data? DNS queries are one way that snoopers can profile you, and encrypted DNS is the answer. However, they're not all made equal, but I have a solution that can truly protect your anonymity.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 new movies to watch this week across Netflix, Prime Video, and more (March 30-April 5)

Mon, 03/30/2026 - 18:15

One of the benefits of subscribing to multiple streaming services is the addition of new movies every week. That's especially true this week with the start of a new month. From blockbusters and comedies to thrillers and horrors, there are options for every cinephile.

Categories: IT General, Technology

My Android phone vibrates in secret codes so I always know who's texting me

Mon, 03/30/2026 - 18:00

The number of notifications we get on our phones every day seems to be constantly increasing, yet the tools Android gives us to manage them are still not up to the job. But now I'm using a new app that tells me exactly who is messaging without me even needing to pick up my phone.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This used Jaguar SUV is more luxurious than a new Rogue for the same price

Mon, 03/30/2026 - 17:45

The 2026 SUV market is packed with comfy, tech-loaded options, but most of the truly plush stuff comes with price tags that make your wallet flinch. That includes Jaguar’s F-Pace, which starts around $57,000 before you even think about upgrading the engine.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Wall-mounting your PC makes more sense than you think

Mon, 03/30/2026 - 17:35

Many of us love to show off our PC build, proudly placing them on our desks to admire the hard work. However, a full-tower PC also takes up valuable desk space, so why not mount it to the wall instead?

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 blockbuster Netflix movies to watch this week (March 30 - April 5)

Mon, 03/30/2026 - 17:30

If you've had your fill of moody period dramas and slow-burn period dramas lately, Netflix is serving up some high-octane sequels you and/or your family can get into this week.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I finally bought a Bambu Lab 3D printer, and it changed how I think about the hobby

Mon, 03/30/2026 - 17:15

There are many 3D printer brands out there to choose from, and, in 2026, it’s fairly hard to make the wrong choice. I picked Bambu Lab as my 3D printer, and I am so happy I went that route, even though I was initially very skeptical of the brand. Here’s why I love my Bambu Lab 3D printer, and how I think it completely changed how I see the 3D printing hobby as a whole.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop blaming Lossless Scaling: Your GPU settings are the real problem

Mon, 03/30/2026 - 17:00

Lossless Scaling is a fantastic tool that can help when your GPU can't handle certain workloads. It also helps out in games that don't support DLSS, FSR, or XeSS. Most importantly, it's cheap, and it works with any graphics card. But despite all those positives, it's not quite a full-on replacement for vendor-specific software, and it can run into various problems.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Infiniti QX60 vs. QX65: Why you’re paying more for fewer seats

Mon, 03/30/2026 - 16:45

Most of the time, it’s simple: the higher the number on the tailgate, the bigger the SUV. But with Infiniti’s revised and redesigned lineup for 2026 and 2027, that logic has a bit of a curveball. If you’re looking at the 2026 QX60 and the 2027 QX65, you’re looking at mechanical twins. They share the same 268-horsepower VC-Turbo engine, the same nine-speed automatic transmission, and the same 6,000-lb. max towing capacity.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Python in Excel isn't just for programmers—4 useful things you can do with it right now

Mon, 03/30/2026 - 16:30

For decades, if you wanted to do heavy data lifting in Excel, your options were nested formulas, VBA macros, or a trip into the Power Query Editor. But with Python now accessible directly from Excel cells, there's a fourth way. It lets you perform complex data cleaning, sentiment analysis, and more—all without leaving the formula bar.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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